TOP 10 BEAUTY HACKS

Posts about beauty hacks are probably one of my favourite kind of posts to read - there's just something about finding sneaky ways of avoiding having to spend money on useless things, and finding new ways of doing things that you do everyday, that's just so satisfying. So I thought I'd put together a few of my favourite beauty-related hacks. 

POWDER IS YOUR NEW LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK
This is a great way of making your lipstick last longer. Place thin tissue over your lipstick and pat in some translucent powder over the tissue. If you want more shine/colour you can put another layer of lipstick over the top. 

STICKY NOTES FOR PRECISION EYE MAKEUP
I first got this idea from Amelia and it is the perfect way to get symmetrical, even eyeshadow. Just pick up a brush and hold one end at the centre of your mouth, follow the line to the corner of your eye, so that the other end is at the corner of your eyebrow and use this line as a guide. Place the sticky note from your eye to your eyebrow and take it off when you've finished your eye makeup. It's also great for getting perfect winged eyeliner on both sides. 

AVOIDING TOO MUCH BLUSH
To avoid looking like you've just run a marathon/had an incredibly embarrassing moment, avoid putting blush too close to your nose - leave a space of 2 fingers from your nose to where your blush starts.

FLAT FOUNDATION MASK APPLICATION
This one is probably my favourite, I got this from Lily Melrose. Using mud masks is all well and good for your face, but it's just such a messy process and it always leaves my hands feeling so dry. Instead of applying face masks with your fingers, use a flat foundation brush. It doesn't have to be an expensive brush at all - trust me, this one will completely change your pamper routine.

TARGET PERFUME-ING
Place perfume behind the ear or knees, inside the wrists or elbows, or at the base of the throat. This makes the perfume last longer and makes it more effective.

VASELINE ON CRACKED HEELS/ELBOWS
Apply Vaseline on cracked heels or elbows to soften the skin, I've found this works better than a lot of specific cracked heel treatments.

WASHING UP LIQUID FOR LIP BRUSHES
Washing lip brushes is torture when they're full of sticky lipstick - I find using washing up liquid really breaks down the 'gunk' leaving you with grease-free brushes.

NO MORE LIPSTICK-COVERED TEETH
Nobody wants to look in a mirror and realise that they've spent the entire day smiling with red lipstick all over their teeth because they haven't been around anyone willing to tell them. Nightmare. To avoid this, after you've finished applying your lipstick, form an O with your mouth around your finger and pull your finger out of your mouth.

TOOTHBRUSH TO EXFOLIATE LIPS
A toothbrush can be used for all sorts of things, but it's brilliant for gently exfoliating the lips. Use circular motions and your lips will be perfectly prepped. You'll never buy a lip exfoliator again.

RE-APPLY CLEAR TOP COATS EVERY 2 DAYS
Chipped nails has to be one of the biggest banes of the beauty world. To avoid chipping, and to make your manicure last longer, apply a clear top coat every 2 days.

Be sure to let me know if you have tried any of these hacks, and DEFINITELY leave some of your own beauty hacks in the comments below - I'd love to hear about them.